Project Recovery: 5 Months Later

Okay, okay, I admit it - I procrastinate. If I was really motivated, this project would have been done months ago (and without the help of Mom, my trusty volunteer, it still wouldn't be done). The root of the problem is that I do not actually enjoy DIY projects. Regardless, Project Recovery is now complete, and I can cross one more task off the to-do list.

Here's the cost breakdown:

Set of 5 Chairs: $180
Paint: $22.55
Foam: $25.00
Fabric: $63.53
Labour: Priceless
Total Project Cost: $291.08
Total Cost per Chair: $58.22

When I sell my Ikea Gilbert chairs on Craigslist, I can subtract that amount from the total cost and these chairs will be practically free!!

This is the step by step photo diary of the process:

Refinishing the Wooden Chair Frames

Remove seats from chair frames:

Sand and apply 2 coats of primer:

Apply 2 coats of paint
(Left side is primer, Right side is painted):

Recovering the Seats

Remove all 4 layers of fabric from seats:

Purchase new foam seats or have pieces cut to size.
I took one seat to De Cutting Edge to have 5 pieces of foam custom cut:


Purchase new fabric for seat covers.
I chose fabric #2 from bb bargoons:

Add 4"-5" inches along each edge, mark and cut the fabric:

Staple Fabric to Seat Base:

Reattach seat to frame:

Sit Down & Relax:

All photos by Pamela Graham for Cherish Toronto.